Earth ScienceEarth Sciencewithwith

Mr. SmithMr. Smith

What is Science?What is Science?

ScienceScience is a process that uses observations is a process that uses observations and investigation to gain knowledge about and investigation to gain knowledge about events in nature.events in nature.

Life Science: focuses on livings thingsLife Science: focuses on livings things Earth Science: focuses on Earth & SpaceEarth Science: focuses on Earth & Space Physical Science: focuses on matter and Physical Science: focuses on matter and

energy; comprised of 2 main areasenergy; comprised of 2 main areas: : Chemistry Chemistry and Physicsand Physics

Introduction to the Introduction to the Scientific MethodScientific Method

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method An organized set of investigation An organized set of investigation

procedures is called a procedures is called a scientific methodscientific method..

By using the following procedures, one By using the following procedures, one can investigate a certain problem or can investigate a certain problem or phenomena.phenomena.

The scientific method is the repeatable The scientific method is the repeatable process by which we do science.process by which we do science.

The Scientific Method cont.The Scientific Method cont.

Step Step 1: Define and state the problem after asking Step Step 1: Define and state the problem after asking yourself why or how the problem occurs. yourself why or how the problem occurs.

Step 2: Research and gather information concerning Step 2: Research and gather information concerning the scientific laws, the dangers, and the success and the scientific laws, the dangers, and the success and failures of others.failures of others.

Step 3: Form a hypothesis statement, a testable Step 3: Form a hypothesis statement, a testable prediction.prediction.

The Scientific Method cont.The Scientific Method cont.

Step 4: Test the hypothesis by conducting an Step 4: Test the hypothesis by conducting an experiment.experiment.

Step 5: Analyze the experiment by recording Step 5: Analyze the experiment by recording observations and organizing the test data.observations and organizing the test data.

Step 6: Draw a conclusion from the test data to Step 6: Draw a conclusion from the test data to determine if hypothesis is correct or incorrect. If determine if hypothesis is correct or incorrect. If incorrect, modify the hypothesis and repeat procedure incorrect, modify the hypothesis and repeat procedure againagain

Scientific Method Scientific Method Terminology Terminology

VariableVariable is any measurable factor (characteristic or is any measurable factor (characteristic or attribute) that can have more than a single value. attribute) that can have more than a single value.

Independent variableIndependent variable is the factor you manipulate or is the factor you manipulate or change during your experiment. It is what you do to the change during your experiment. It is what you do to the experimental group. Plot on the x-axis.experimental group. Plot on the x-axis.

Dependent variableDependent variable is what happens to the is what happens to the independent variable as a result the factor you independent variable as a result the factor you manipulated (changed). It is what you are measuring. manipulated (changed). It is what you are measuring. Plot on the y-axis.Plot on the y-axis.

Scientific Method Scientific Method Terminology cont.Terminology cont.

HypothesisHypothesis is an educated guess about how things is an educated guess about how things work based upon what you know and observe. It is a work based upon what you know and observe. It is a statementstatement that can be experimentally shown to be true that can be experimentally shown to be true or false.or false.

"If I open the faucet [faucet opening size is the independent "If I open the faucet [faucet opening size is the independent variable], then it will increase the flow of water [flow of water is the variable], then it will increase the flow of water [flow of water is the dependent variable].”dependent variable].”

"Raising the temperature of a cup of water [temperature is the "Raising the temperature of a cup of water [temperature is the independent variable] will increase the amount of sugar that independent variable] will increase the amount of sugar that dissolves [the amount of sugar is the dependent variable]." dissolves [the amount of sugar is the dependent variable]."

Scientific Method Scientific Method Terminology cont.Terminology cont.

ObservationObservation is using one’s senses to gather is using one’s senses to gather information.information.

ConstantConstant is a factor that does not change when other is a factor that does not change when other variables change. variables change.

Control group Control group receives no manipulation. It therefore is receives no manipulation. It therefore is the standard by which the test results can be compared. the standard by which the test results can be compared.

Experimental groupExperimental group receives some kind of receives some kind of manipulation or change in condition. manipulation or change in condition.

Scientific Method Scientific Method Terminology cont.Terminology cont.

ProceduresProcedures are the steps used during the experiment. are the steps used during the experiment.

ConclusionConclusion is the summarization of the experiment is the summarization of the experiment and results.and results.

GraphsGraphs are visual displays of information that help are visual displays of information that help communicate the results of the experiment.communicate the results of the experiment.

DataData is the information collected during the experiment. is the information collected during the experiment.

Scientific Method Scientific Method Terminology cont.Terminology cont.

A A BiasBias occurs when the expectation of occurs when the expectation of the scientist change how the results of an the scientist change how the results of an experiment is viewed.experiment is viewed.

A A ModelModel is something which represents a is something which represents a concept which is either very small (the concept which is either very small (the atom), very large (the solar system), or atom), very large (the solar system), or difficult to access the real thing (an difficult to access the real thing (an eyeball).eyeball).

Scientific Theories Scientific Theories and Lawsand Laws

A scientific A scientific theorytheory is an explanation of things or events is an explanation of things or events based on knowledge gained from many observations based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations. It is not a guess.and investigations. It is not a guess.

Theories can be Theories can be modifiedmodified if new information becomes if new information becomes available.available. Example: Evolution is just a Theory.Example: Evolution is just a Theory.

A scientific A scientific LawLaw is a statement about what happens in is a statement about what happens in nature that seems to be true all the time.nature that seems to be true all the time. Example: The Law of GravityExample: The Law of Gravity

MeasurementsMeasurements

Standard – an exact quantity that people agree to use Standard – an exact quantity that people agree to use to compare measurements.to compare measurements.

International Standard of Units (SI)International Standard of Units (SI)

Each SI unit is composed of either a base unit or a Each SI unit is composed of either a base unit or a prefix and a base unitprefix and a base unit

Why are standards important? Give an example.Why are standards important? Give an example.

SI Base UnitsSI Base Units

Length = meter (m)Length = meter (m) Mass = kilogram (kg)Mass = kilogram (kg) Volume = liters (L)Volume = liters (L) Time = second (s)Time = second (s) Temperature = Kelvin (K)Temperature = Kelvin (K)

SI Prefixes to KnowSI Prefixes to Know

Kilo (k) – 1000 x the base unitKilo (k) – 1000 x the base unit Hecta (h) – 100 x the base unitHecta (h) – 100 x the base unit Deka (da) – 10 x the base unitDeka (da) – 10 x the base unit Base Unit Base Unit Deci (d) – 1/10 x the base unitDeci (d) – 1/10 x the base unit Centi (c) – 1/100 x the base unitCenti (c) – 1/100 x the base unit Milli (m) – 1/1000 x the base unitMilli (m) – 1/1000 x the base unit

LengthLength

The distance between two pointsThe distance between two points

Measured in physical science class by the meter stick Measured in physical science class by the meter stick or ruleror ruler

Important to choose the appropriate unit in order to Important to choose the appropriate unit in order to avoid large numbers or lots of decimal places.avoid large numbers or lots of decimal places.

Example: We would never measure the distance from NC Example: We would never measure the distance from NC to CA in centimeter- Why?to CA in centimeter- Why?

VolumeVolume

Amount of space something takes upAmount of space something takes up

A regular solid can be calculated by: L x W x HA regular solid can be calculated by: L x W x H

Can use water displacement for irregular solidsCan use water displacement for irregular solids

Use a graduated cylinder to measure liquid volumeUse a graduated cylinder to measure liquid volume

1 mL = 1 cm1 mL = 1 cm33

Amount of space something takes upAmount of space something takes up

A regular solid can be calculated by: L x W x HA regular solid can be calculated by: L x W x H

Can use water displacement for irregular solidsCan use water displacement for irregular solids

Use a graduated cylinder to measure liquid volumeUse a graduated cylinder to measure liquid volume

1 mL = 1 cm1 mL = 1 cm33

MassMass

The measurement of the quantity of matter in an The measurement of the quantity of matter in an object.object.

Usually measured with a triple beam balance or an Usually measured with a triple beam balance or an electronic balance.electronic balance.

Will the mass of an object be the same on the moon and Will the mass of an object be the same on the moon and earth? Explain your answer.earth? Explain your answer.

DensityDensity

Derived unit : Combination of SI unitsDerived unit : Combination of SI units

Defined as mass per unit volume of a materialsDefined as mass per unit volume of a materials

Formula: Density = Mass / Volume Formula: Density = Mass / Volume

TemperatureTemperature

Kelvin is the SI unit (NOT DEGREES KELVIN!!)Kelvin is the SI unit (NOT DEGREES KELVIN!!)

Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature (0 K)Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature (0 K)

Use thermometers to measure temperature in Celsius Use thermometers to measure temperature in Celsius and convert to Kelvin by adding 273.and convert to Kelvin by adding 273.

°C + 273 = K°C + 273 = K

Graph – visual display of information or dataGraph – visual display of information or data

Always include title, labels, and include units!Always include title, labels, and include units!

Line graph – shows any relationship where the Line graph – shows any relationship where the dependent variable changes (y-axis) due to a change dependent variable changes (y-axis) due to a change in the independent variable (x-axis).in the independent variable (x-axis).

GraphsGraphs

Graphs cont.Graphs cont.

Bar Graph – useful for comparing information collected Bar Graph – useful for comparing information collected by counting.by counting.

Circle Graph or Pie Chart – shows how a fixed quantity Circle Graph or Pie Chart – shows how a fixed quantity is broken down into parts.is broken down into parts.